Flying Termite: Nuptial Flight

WInged Ant-Like Insect Sun, Apr 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM This morning (April12) I was planting my garden when I saw three our four small areas in my backyard covered in hundreds of winged insects that looked exactly like black queen ants, and even had wings. They were about a centimeter (or maybe a little less) in length and seemed to be coming from the ground but I couldn’t tell exactly from where. Slowly the clumps of insects would fly into the air. What I am pretty sure about is that they’re not ants, because I don’t think this many winged ants all of a sudden come out of the Earth and gather the way I witnessed. Do you know what they are? G. Spieler Birmingham, AL, USA

Flying Termite

Dear G., This is a Winged Termite, either a male or female reproductive individual. When conditions are right, the future kings and queens leave the subterranean nest and embark on their nuptial flight. They will then mate and start a new colony.